Riders get ready for Bike the Brandywine on Sept. 22

Both experienced riders and newcomers are welcome at the Bike the Brandywine event.

Explore the scenery, glimpse the
history and discover the lure of the Brandywine River during the
third annual Bike the Brandywine on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Hosted by the Brandywine Conservancy,
the ride offers three routes that take in the beautiful Brandywine
Creek Greenway and surrounding countryside. Riders can choose from
distances of 25, 45 and 80 miles, each with unique experiences for
both the recreational or more avid cyclist. Proceeds from the ride
benefit the Conservancy’s clean water programs.

Following both the East and West Branch
of the Brandywine, the 80-mile loop will guide riders from Chadds
Ford all the way to the river’s headwaters in Honey Brook Township.
Along the way, riders will experience iconic western Chester County
vistas and views of rural landscapes, rich history and active
farmland, much of which the Brandywine Conservancy has helped
permanently protect and conserve for future generations.

For riders looking for a shorter
Brandywine experience, the 45-mile loop follows the West Branch of
the river and passes through many historic sites and bucolic
countryside. Beginning in Chadds Ford, this route travels to The
Laurels Preserve and treks through the King Ranch area in Unionville
before winding its way to the historic village of Marshallton.

As an introduction to the Brandywine
Creek Greenway for the recreational cyclist, the 25-mile loop closely
mirrors the early routes of both the 80- and 45-mile options.
Following the West Branch of the Brandywine River through open
farmland and scenic river valleys, this route provides a trip through
the historic village of Marshallton and its surrounding equestrian
and farming landscapes.

Each loop starts and ends at the Chadds
Ford Historical Society (1736 N. Creek Rd., Chadds Ford). Well
provisioned rest stops are available every 10 to 20 miles, depending
on the route. Cyclists of legal drinking age will be entitled to one
free pint of Victory beer at the ride’s conclusion. The post-ride
celebration at the Chadds Ford Historical Society will also include
free lunch for all riders. The event takes place rain or shine on
Sept. 22 from 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Advance registration is $50 per
rider, but the fee will increase closer to the date of the event. To
register, visit www.brandywine.org/bikeride.

The Brandywine Creek Greenway is a
regional planning initiative of the Brandywine Conservancy and 27
municipal partners in Chester and Delaware counties to create a
30-mile conservation and recreation corridor along both branches of
the Brandywine. It stretches from the Delaware state line just south
of Chadds Ford to the Pennsylvania Highlands Mega-Greenway at the
northern border of Honey Brook Township.

The Brandywine River and its network of
parks and trails form the western limit of The Circuit, a regional
trail network of the greater Philadelphia region. The vision of the
Brandywine Creek Greenway is to build healthier, more sustainable
communities, by emphasizing the natural and cultural resources of the
area; preserving and protecting the Brandywine River; and creating
connections among open space, parks, river access points and area
attractions. To learn more, visit www.brandywinegreenway.org.